The Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH) reported that eruptive activity continued at Fuego during 6-12 November. Daily explosions were recorded by the seismic network at rates of 5-13 per hour. The explosions generated gas-and-ash plumes that rose 4.5-4.8 km above the summit and drifted as far as 30 km SW and W. Weak-to-moderate rumbling sounds and shock waves from explosions were occasionally reported. The explosions also generated weak-to-moderate block avalanches around the crater and sometimes descended toward the Las Lajas (SE), Seca (W), Taniluya (SSW), Honda (E), and Ceniza (SSW) drainages and sometimes reached vegetated areas. On most days, explosions ejected incandescent material up to 300 m above the summit. On 8 November rainfall in the area generated a weak-to-moderate lahar in the Ceniza drainage (SSW, a tributary of the Achíguate River), dragging a mixture of water, fine volcanic material, branches and tree trunks, as well as rock blocks 30 cm to 1.5 m in diameter. Ashfall was reported in Panimache I and II (8 km SW), Morelia (10 km SW), Santa Sofia (12 km SW), and other nearby communities on 6 November and in Panimache I and II (8 km SW), Morelia (10 km SW), Santa Sofia (12 km SW), and Los Yucales (12 km SW), and other nearby communities on 8 November.

Geological Summary. Volcán Fuego, one of Central America's most active volcanoes, is also one of three large stratovolcanoes overlooking Guatemala's former capital, Antigua. The scarp of an older edifice, Meseta, lies between Fuego and Acatenango to the north. Construction of Meseta dates back to about 230,000 years and continued until the late Pleistocene or early Holocene. Collapse of Meseta may have produced the massive Escuintla debris-avalanche deposit, which extends about 50 km onto the Pacific coastal plain. Growth of the modern Fuego volcano followed, continuing the southward migration of volcanism that began at the mostly andesitic Acatenango. Eruptions at Fuego have become more mafic with time, and most historical activity has produced basaltic rocks. Frequent vigorous historical eruptions have been recorded since the onset of the Spanish era in 1524, and have produced major ashfalls, along with occasional pyroclastic flows and lava flows.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)